Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY360319 Unique Reference Number 30 April 2008 Inspection date Karen Cooper Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and five years old in Walsall. The location is convenient for schools, park and shops. The ground floor of the property, back bedroom and the bathroom on the first floor is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for play. The family have two guinea pigs and a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding two children, one of whom attends on a full time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individual care needs are effectively met. They are appropriately cared for if they have an accident or become ill and there are effective procedures in place to protect them from

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 illness and infection. However, children‘s well-being is potentially being compromised because written consent to seek emergency treatment is not obtained from parents. Children are learning about their personal hygiene and how to keep healthy through daily routines such as hand washing before eating, after toileting and tending to the pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular drinks to ensure that they do not become dehydrated. Nutritious meals and snacks ensure children are encouraged to eat healthily which includes a variety of fruit and vegetables. Children are beginning to understand the importance of healthy eating because the childminder talks to them about foods that are good for them. Any allergies and dietary requirements are discussed fully with parents to ensure children’s individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of outdoor activities including various ball games. They use a variety of push-along and wheeled toys which enables them to develop their confidence using equipment that provides challenge. They regularly visit the park and other local amenities and walk to school daily. This contributes to their health and helps them to understand that exercise helps them to stay healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm, welcoming, clean and safe environment where all risks have been identified and minimised. This is due to the childminder's vigilance and the implementation of procedures such as a risk assessment of the premises to keep children safe. Children mainly use the conservatory as the main play room and have easy access to a fully enclosed rear garden. Children’s awareness of safety issues is developed through everyday activities within the home and during outings, for example, they learn how to cross the road safely and are constantly reminded by the childminder of the ‘staying on the safe side’ rule. This further develops their awareness of keeping themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good range of equipment in place which children are able to use safely due to the childminder's vigilance and the procedures she has implemented to regularly check toys and equipment. All fire equipment including a fire blanket and smoke alarms are in place and are checked regularly to ensure they are in good working condition. Children learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe. They learn about fire safety; they know the procedure for evacuation in an emergency which the childminder ensures is regularly practised with the children. The premises are secure and there are good procedures in place for the safe arrival and collection of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded due to the childminder's knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and her awareness of her role in protecting the children in her care. She has written statement about child protection which she ensures is discussed with all parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed, well-settled and are confident to select activities independently. This enables them to make good progress in the personal, social and emotional development. Good warm and caring relationships between the childminder and children are evident. Children are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 valued and the childminder helps children feel good about themselves by frequently providing positive support, praise and encouragement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from an extensive range of age-appropriate, interesting and stimulating toys and activities to help them learn, which includes free play, construction, role play, cooking, crafts, books, puzzles and visits outside the home. Children are keen to learn and encouraged to try out new skill. This supports their developing independence and self-motivation. They enjoy climbing, joining in with role play, using musical toys and playing with the farm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses the framework 'Birth to three matters' effectively to involve and further children's development. A scrap book of children’s work provides evidence of the activities they have undertaken and how the children have made progress in their development, which is shared with parents. The childminder's in-depth knowledge of children's individual needs ensures that they are well met and their enjoyment and learning is well fostered and encouraged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and the childminder has an appropriate knowledge and awareness of the importance of treating each child with equal respect and concern. The childminder is aware that some children may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and understands the importance of working in partnership with parents and with other professionals to promote the welfare and development of the child. Children have equal access to all resources and activities. However, their knowledge and understanding of diversity is limited because of the lack of resources that promote positive images of culture and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to understand the need for simple rules such as sharing and being kind to each other. They respond positively to the childminder's methods of behaviour management which are effective, realistic and appropriate to children's age and stage of development. The childminder shows a willingness and commitment to working with parents to manage children’s behaviour in a consistent way which promotes the child’s welfare and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good partnerships with parents means that children are happy to stay with a familiar and trusted childminder. Children are cared for in accordance with parents' wishes and information is shared on a daily basis to ensure parents are fully informed of their child’s daily activities. A range of relevant information such as written policies and procedures relating to the childminding practice are available for parents to view including a complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to play, eat and rest in a well-organised environment. They use the ground floor of the property to enjoy a wide variety of spontaneous and planned activities and independently select from a good range of quality toys and equipment provided for them daily. Regular visits outside of the home contribute to children's learning and enjoyment of the local environment. The childminder shows commitment towards her own personal development and improves her knowledge by attending short courses. She has completed an appropriate first aid course and her childminder pre-registration course, ensuring that her knowledge and skills in childminding practice are up to date.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Documentation that is required for the efficient and safe management of the children is in place and regularly reviewed. In addition, the childminder has devised a helpful portfolio consisting of several written policies and procedures for parents to view, which underpin many areas of her operational practice.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency treatment • develop children's knowledge and understanding of diversity, for example, by increasing resources that reflect positive images of disability and culture.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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